Monday, December 5, 2016

I know Thanksgiving has already passed and now we are in full swing with Christmas preparations but I wanted to make sure I posted here that I was very thankful for my crochet classes and the great ladies that attend each Fall and Spring.

I really appreciate each of these ladies attending my classes and working so hard on their beautiful crochet projects. I have enjoyed getting to know each of them and I love to see how their crochet skills have improved.This class we all worked on a new friendship shawl design I created called, "Comfort for Cara Shawl". (Cara means "Friend" in Gaelic.) We used Lion Brand's "Shawl in a Ball" yarn - I enjoyed working with it. The color changes are soft and long.

Here is Pam in her shawl - didn't she do a wonderful job with it? (She was not able to be in the photo above). She used the "Healing Teal" colorway. Later she sent me a photo of the shawl spread across her bed - I love that idea!

This is Carol and Angela - They were friends first in nursing school and then they married brothers so they are also sisters-in-law!

Dawnie crocheted a baby blanket and a baby sweater.

Jenn made her shawl with another blue colorway - doesn't it look great on her?

The pattern for this shawl will be available in my Ravelry store next month.

For more photos of our crochet class and projects, check out the page on the left.

Friday, November 18, 2016

I saw this saying on a plaque at Hobby Lobby this week - it is simple but not always easy to do.
There is so much to be thankful for and I find if I start my day reflecting on those blessings, I do have a better attitude and can handle the upcoming challenges with much more grace and patience.

As I reflect on what I am thankful for, I think of my friend, Bonnie Barker - she has been a special friend to me since we met several years ago at a CGOA professional development day. We sat next to each other and while I took notes on the speaker, Bonnie crocheted a beautiful square motif complete with intricate braided cables! I was impressed that she did it so quickly and without a pattern. Now I understand why she was able to do that - she has been working with crocheted cables for years making all kinds of beautiful combinations and projects.

Bonnie and I have been able to keep in touch through email and I have greatly appreciated her encouragement and support as I home school my children. (She is a veteran home school mom of five children!) She also has provided understanding and camaraderie as we both continue on our journey of crochet designing. I love that we both also share a deep love for music and have even be able to perform together - I look forward to more opportunities like it in the future.

Well, Bonnie just published another book showcasing those 'beautiful combinations and projects' of crocheted cables and I have had the pleasure of perusing it and trying out a design.

You can purchase this book here on Amazon - you won't be disappointed! Read on to see what I think of it and to see some photos of my favorite projects:

(all photos courtesy of Bonnie Bay Crochet and Interweave Press)

I like how Bonnie included an introduction in the book that includes tips about yarn choices, figuring out the gauge and visiting her YouTube tutorials. As you read it, you feel like you are sitting with Bonnie in her living room.

The photography of each project is wonderful - The brick buildings and cobblestone streets make for a classy backdrop to each of Bonnie's creations. I like how you can clearly see the cable stitches in the close-up photos. I also love all of the Celtic Knot details and graphics on each page.

A great addition to this book are the clear stitch diagrams that help you see how each cable stitch is laid out within the project. The step-by-step photos (of how to crochet all of the stitches in the book) are excellent and I like how the stitch multiples are included.

Aranmore Sweater Wrap

This wrap has a creative construction and uniquely combines cables and lace.

Tic-Tac-Toe Bag

I love the clever use of the two cable stitches in an alternating pattern.

Vicki's Sweater

Bonnie's Celtic Weave stitch is one of my favorite stitches and it looks great at the top of this top- down sweater.

Binne Cardigan

This cardigan is very feminine - I love the off-center opening and the way the cables provide a hint of a peplum along the back.

Emerald Celtic Weave Infinity Scarf

And here I love how the Celtic Weave stitch is front and center. Such a lovely green color!

This is the project I made using the "Tidal" colorway in Red Heart Boutique "Unforgettable" - I used 2 skeins and made mine a little longer than the length stated in the book.

I recently wore my scarf and received many compliments on it.

If you've wanted to try crocheting cables but didn't know where to begin, then this is the place!

Sunday, November 13, 2016

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, I have been thinking often about "Thankfulness".
I recently found this quote on Pinterest:

"There is always something to be thankful for"
I have also been thinking about this past year (that has flown by) and how full it has been for me and my family . . . .full of so many things to be thankful for. So, I decided to share some posts here of experiences and people that I am thankful for.

First up - my wonderful trip to Ireland with Annie's and Craftours and all of the great people I met while crocheting and touring there.

I am thankful for the fantastic scenery of Ireland.

This is on our way to Dingle - We drove along the coast of the Dingle Peninsula - the view around every bend was breathtaking. We were very thankful that it was a sunny day which made the blue of the ocean shine brilliantly.

Everywhere we went it was so green! I am thankful for all of the beautiful flowers we saw along the roadside and in the gardens of Kylemore Abbey and Blarney Castle.

I am thankful for the 3 workshops I taught - I loved the enthusiasm of all the participants and how delighted they were to complete their Celtic Knot projects. It was such a blessing to teach and get to know these women.

Jeanette from S. Africa

Danny, Alice and Elaine (from Australia)

Mary, Peggy, Shereen and Deanna

Hazel (with 2 completed projects)

Phyllis and Lisa (mom and daughter duo)

Our tour guide, Agnes (shown below on my right), and all of the Irish people we met along the way were very friendly and helpful. I am thankful for their accent and the words they use - so fun!

Want to see more photos and find out more about the trip? Check out the page on the left !

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Do you like to crochet gifts for your family and friends? I have been crocheting gifts for others since I was a little girl. Back then it was an affordable way to show how much I appreciated each recipient and I loved the creative process of brainstorming unique ideas for each person.

Now I have much less time than I did back then so I don't get to make as many gifts as I would like. And with the ability to order everything under the sun on the internet, making a special gift has become even more valuable to me. I think giving someone a handmade gift is like giving them a big long-lasting hug that says, "You are very special to me."

Are you like me in that you love to make gifts for others but you lack time and have too many ideas?

Well, here is a simple but elegant scarf that was in the Oct. 2015 issue of Crochet World -Bangle Bead Scarf.

This scarf is very classy and almost like a necklace. It is crocheted with Berroco's Captiva - a beautiful yarn that is a shiny silk-like combination of cotton, polyester and acrylic. See more colors here. The scarf shown is crocheted in the Garnet color.

I found the scarf bails (large metal tube-like findings) on Ebay and the sparkly beads at Hobby Lobby. With all of the colors and beads available now, the possibilities are endless so you can make one for each of your friends but no two will look alike.

(Even though this pattern is in an issue from 2015, you can still purchase it here for just $5.99 - the Oct. 2015 issue will download instantly to your computer and you'll have 18 more patterns, too!)

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Last October I ran out of time to post about several fall designs that had been published in Crochet World - so I thought I would share about them this year while there's still time to make a few small things for your Thanksgiving table.

The Crayon Gobbler - A fun turkey decoration that is not only pretty but also practical - each feather pocket can hold a crayon. I enjoyed 'engineering' this design and seeing it come together. The editors at Crochet World told me that it was a hit on Facebook last fall.

The Petaled Pumpkin - I crocheted all of the flowers with Omega's Sinfonia cotton yarn and found a variety of buttons and beads at my local craft store to embellish the centers. Inside is hiding a styrofoam ball that helps the pumpkin keep its shape and stay light.

Turkey Napkin Ring - You can never have too many turkeys at Thanksgiving, right? This little guy is made to slide over your folded napkins. He would be even cuter if you gave him a felt T-shirt in the colors of your favorite football team!

Even though these patterns can be found in an issue from last year, you can still get them digitally by visiting www.crochet-world.com. For just $5.99 you can download the entire magazine directly to your computer and have 19 patterns instantly. Here is the direct link for your convenience:

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Have you ever crocheted with Red Heart's Unforgettable yarn? It comes in wonderful colors and each skein has a good amount of yards. I love how it has the look of real wool but it is acrylic so easy to wash and wear. I chose the colorway, "Sunrise" for this infinity scarf.

Wonder-FALL Infinity Scarf

Every time I see this colorway I think of the fall and how you can see these colors every day -sometimes even in one tree! This is a great project to try if you are new to crocheted cables because it is a simple 4-stitch cable pattern that only requires the 'crossing of post stitches' every other row.

This pattern can be found by subscribing to : I Like Crochet(All photos courtesy of I Like Crochet)

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Autumn is in full swing here in New England. Around every corner there is another colorful tree glowing in the sunshine. Our family loves to take 'scenic detours' home from our various activities each week just to see the foliage in all its splendor.

Here are some fall projects that are now available in the October issue of I Like Crochet:

Acorn Hot Pads

These hot pads are crocheted with a double-strand of common cotton yarn (Lily's Sugar n Cream) so they would work great as a hot pad to protect your table and as a potholder for when you are taking that yummy pumpkin bread out of the oven. Acorns and their texture & design makes for great fall inspiration.

Pumpkin Treat Bag

This cute bag has a lot of character with its stripey arms and legs. Made out of Red Heart's Super Saver yarn makes sure that it is durable and holds its shape well.

To get the patterns for these designs, subscribe to I Like Crochet ( www.ilikecrochet.com ) and many wonderful patterns will be instantly available to you.(Crochet project photos courtesy of I Like Crochet)

Friday, September 16, 2016

Here is another project that can be found in the August issue of I Like Crochet - It is a fun cat backpack made with Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn in a simple textured stitch. The cute arms, legs and ears give this bag character and charm. The zipper closure and front pocket add some practicality.

Do you know a little girl who would love a backpack like this? Even better, you could make it in the colors of her favorite kitty, making her transition to school this September fun and cheery.

(Visit www.ilikecrochet.com to see how you can subscribe and have access to hundreds of great patterns.)

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

This week you can hop over to the Talking Crochet newsletter to read an article I wrote about our great trip to Ireland. I talked about some of my favorite activities, gave some highlights about the workshops I taught and shared many photos of the participants and the beautiful Irish countryside.

(While you are there, scroll down the page and submit your email address in the box on the bottom left hand side - by doing this you can receive the newsletter into your inbox every other week. This newsletter is filled with great interviews, useful crochet tips and often free patterns.)

Friday, September 2, 2016

Well, here it is September already and are you like me wondering, "Where did summer go?"

As you can tell from my lack of blog posts this summer, I was taking a break from working on my computer - it was great to spend time outdoors reading books, photographing wildlife, going for bike rides and having fun with my family. And now that the school year is about to begin, I have a good amount of catching up to do!

Yes, I went to Ireland with Annie's and Craftours - it was wonderful! Stay tuned for photos and stories from that trip.

But for now I have a small project to show you - Sand Dollar Earrings.

I love to beach comb and find all kinds of 'treasures' from unique shells to sea glass. I would love to find a Sand Dollar but I haven't visited a beach that would have some. I remember our neighbor bringing one home from Myrtle beach and being impressed by the delicate design on top. I tried to replicate its pretty design with these earrings and thought they would make a unique accessory.

You can find the pattern in the August 2016 issue of the digital magazine, I Like Crochet -
www.ilikecrochet.com.

These work up very quickly and would be a great addition to your outfit for a Labor Day weekend barbecue to celebrate the last days of summer!

(The great thing about I Like Crochet is that once you have a subscription, you have access to ALL of the past patterns that have been published with a simple click!)

Monday, May 16, 2016

I love flowers and how they are a symbol of new life this time of year. As I look back over the designs I have created in the past 4 years, I realize that many of them include flower motifs and/or some kind of floral inspiration.

My mother and her mother have always been extraordinary gardeners. They have taught me a great deal about flowers and gardens over the years. The blossoms and color they have achieved in their English-style gardens year after year are truly incredible. Here some photos of my mom's garden from last summer:

So, here is another design using a flower motif - this time it is a triangular motif times 6 which when joined together makes a hexagon.

Spring Blossoms Pillow

(Photo courtesy of Annie's)

Can you guess which cotton yarn I used to crochet this? . . . . Omega Sinfonia, of course!

I love how it is thin enough to give a lacy look but thick enough to work up quickly. The challenging part of this project was making the hexagon-shaped pillow form so that all sides were equal.

The instructions to make this project can be found in the April 2016 issue of Crochet World here.

Monday, May 9, 2016

The Granny Square has come a long way over the years and it is a classic crochet motif. I love that the possibilities and variations are endless!

In this bag I crocheted large square motifs with a granny-square-like stitch pattern and then joined them together envelope-style. I used Berroco's Weekend yarn which is a soft and thick cotton great for any time of year. (Visit this link to learn more details about this yarn.)

The instructions for this design can be found in Crochet World's special issue, Creative Crochet in a Day, which is on newsstands now and available digitally here. Thank you to Crochet World for putting this bag on the cover!

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Come learn (or review) the basics of crochet while making a Friendship Shawl. This shawl makes a great comfort gift for a friend or family member who is going through a rough time. We will be working on other smaller projects while practicing various techniques. Several free patterns to choose from to match your skill level. All levels of crochet welcome.

Email Jennifer to register.

Parent/Child Workshop

Crochet Workshop

A 1-Day Workshop

for Parent and Child

Saturdays

Next Workshop: TBA

9:30 to 11:30 am

Local Craft Store Classroom

Learn to crochet together while making a pretty necklace for yourself or a friend. Ages 7 and up.